In Memory of Gertrude Allen + January 8, 2011

Photographs taken right before Christmas 2010, during a visit by Rosemary Overton, Mieko Timmons and Mary Ann Allen.



~ Photos by Mieko Timmons

Going Home!

After 11 years in the United States, Fr. Francois will finally be able to make a trip home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There will be joy in Kinshasa when his family and friends greet him at the airport. We wish him a safe trip and a wonderful reunion with his family.

A monetary contribution was made to Fr. Francois to help him with his travel expenses. Parish groups contributing were the Men's Group, the Women's Group and the St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir.

If you would like to contribute, do so to these groups. Your funds will help refill their treasuries.

Sincerely,

Shelton Jones, Chair
St. Elizabeth Pastoral Council

Attention: Pastoral Council Meeting
January 20th at 6:30 p.m.
Church Hall


~ Image by Bigfoto

St. Elizabeth's gives an Ordination Gift

We received a thank you note from Mrs. Margaret Anyu, whose son was recently ordained in Africa. Mrs. Anyu had asked Fr. Andrew if we could assist her son with a gift of a Mass Kit for his ordination earlier this year. As you can see, her son, Fr. Pontianus Tardzenyuy, has received his gift and sends his greetings and thanks for this special gift.

~ Photos courtesy of Mrs. Margaret Anyu

Our New Mission Statement!

We, the members of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Highland Park in the City of Richmond, embrace our ethnic and cultural diversity and are called to grow in our relationship with God and one another through formation at all levels.

With our Christian goal of social justice, we will continue to work towards unity and diversity in support of all our ministries, to evangelize and to be good stewards of our resources.


~ January 2009 ~

Voter Registration Deadline ~ October 6, 2008

Please note that the deadline to register to vote or to change your voting address is Monday, October 6, 2008. You can find out where and how to register by going to this website:

Virginia State Board of Elections: Registering to Vote

To VOTE is one of our most important rights as citizens of the United States; and it is a duty also.

See Love ~ by Cathy Woodson

Develop a Thirst for Justice and Peace

Truly care for all.

Challenge one another on issues of human rights, human dignity, and equality for all;

Celebrate differences and work for the good of all;

Respect all creation and believe in your abilities to use power for the good of everything;

Live harmoniously and responsibly with the earth; sharing resources and not hoarding for a few needs;

Develop a thirst for education and use knowledge to create good things;

Believe that everything created has a purpose; seek to use everything in a purposeful way.


April 2008
Written by: Cathy Woodson

I Was There ~ by Diane Neylan

A friend of mine recently sent me this link. I don't normally read "chain" emails, but for some reason, I clicked on the link. I thought all of you might appreciate the sentiments expressed.

Here's the direct link to the site.

http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun4528.htm?e=louiseungro@hotmail.com&f=froggiemad1@cox.net&h=bb08c6204ace9eec&mp=1&confirm=1

Diane Neylan

Msgr. Mike Schmied's Father Dies

The word went around our parish today about the death of the father of our former long time pastor, Msgr. Michael Schmied. Our hearts go out to "Fr. Mike" and his family at this great loss. Many of our parishioners had kept in touch with Fr. Mike over the years and knew his family quite well.

William Charles "Bill" Schmied, who was 90 years old, died on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. His children were with him as he passed over to a new life.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 29th at St. Mary's Catholic Church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 7 p.m. A reception will be held immediately afterwards. Interment will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on Friday, May 30th at 11 a.m.

"God Pleaser" ~ Congratulations to Eric L. Thompson

Congratulations to Eric L. Thompson, son of our parishioners, James and Lucy Thompson. Eric has just had a book published by Kingdom Publishing Group, Inc.

"GOD PLEASER" gives "A Kingdom perspective on what pleases and displeases the Lord, and how to apply Biblical principles to advance the Kingdom."

You can reach Eric Thompson by email (Eric@GodPleaser.net) or by visiting his website at http://www.godpleaser.net/ where you can also find information for purchasing his book.



~ Photograph: God Pleaser website (www.godpleaser.net) ~

Richmond Diocesan Priests Concelebrate With the Pope in DC

The Pope's Apostolic Journey to the United States

April 15 - 20, 2008


At Mass on Sunday, our priest shared his impressions at being able to concelebrate with Pope Benedict XVI when he traveled to Washington for the Mass on Thursday, April 17th with the rest of the priests from the Richmond Diocese.

Father told us that he had offered the Mass for the intentions of his parishioners, which made it possible for us also to be part of this grand event.

Sr. Cora at All Saints School

From FoxNews.com:

Sr. Cora Marie Billings, deputy director of the Virginia Human Rights Council, dances during a pep rally at All Saints Catholic School in Richmond, VA. Sister Billings has been a nun for 50 years and achieved a first when she was installed as pastoral coordinator of St. Elizabeths, the first African American nun to hold that title.

____________


Our own Sr. Cora, who, we know, loves to do the "Electric Slide"!! Congratulations for making the top Fox Photos for February 26, 2008.

I'm sure most of us have already read the Times-Dispatch story.

Congratulations to Mieko Timmons' Organization, a 2007 Richmond History Maker!

Leadership Metro Richmond has selected The Micah Initiative as this year's most deserving organization in the category of Creating Quality Educational Opportunities and will honor them as a 2007 Richmond History Maker. The Micah Initiative brings together 47 faith groups that provide 600 volunteers to assist in 26 elementary schools in the Richmond Public Schools.

The Micah Initiative will be represented at the award celebration by S. Buford Scott and our own Mieko Timmons. Congratulations!

Housekeeping Details

Just to let everyone know that if duplicate comments are accidently posted, I will remove one of them. It sometimes happens and it did so today. You will see a removed comment on one of the previous messages.

It's Official!

I spoke with Fr. Andrew this morning to make sure that there would be no objection to this blog. He said he had no problem with it. I was glad to hear that. Now I will place a blurb in the bulletin next week so that all of you church members can read and comment.

It's all up to you if this will be a successful venture or not. All you have to do is to click "Comments" under each article you want to reply to. A box will pop up and you can write your comments and then use the anonymous option if you don't want to use your real name. You do not have to sign up as a blogspot member.

I don't intend to advertise the blog outside the parish community. This will be like a parish newsletter. I can add photos of parish activities if you have some to place online. You can also write an article about parish activities and I will be glad to post it as a blog article. Just let me know.

Mary Ann Allen
plantation.geo@yahoo.com